Snapper Dore with rice and peas served with a tomato thyme run down. - photos by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

Like fine wine that only gets better with age, Sandals Resorts International Culinary Ambassador, Walter Staib, never ceases to please with his gastronomic creations. The 'head cook and bottle washer' behind Sandals Whitehouse's Culinary Media Tour, Staib rolled out the red-carpet treatment to Food with a delicious seven-course meal last Sunday.

Themed a 'Vineyard Dinner: An exploration of Jamaica's Rich Culinary Heritage', the meal, which also featured Sandals' exclusive Beringer wine collection, was served under the stars in the Sandals Whitehouse courtyard.

From appetiser to dessert it was an epicurean's delight.

On the menu:

Appetiser: Jerk Chicken Breast Roti with pineapple chutney and Scotch bonnet marmalade.

A marrying of the Jamaican jerk spices with pineapples and peppers, this dish was simply exquisite. Spicy but not overpowering, the jerk chicken was melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the roti was nice and flaky. This was served with a Traminer Riesling Rosemount.

Soup: West Indian Pepperpot

Taken from Miss Betty's original recipe, the pepperpot soup was divine. This was served with Anne Lane Riesling.

Fish: Snapper Dore/Chardonnay Beringer Napa Valley.

Served on a bed of rice and peas with a tomato thyme run down, this dish done almost to perfection. The fish was moist and well flavoured and went very well with the rice and peas.

Itermizzo: Soursop Sorbet.

Refreshing and well textured, serving it on a block of ice was genius.

Blue Mountain Coffee rubbed beef tenderloin/Merlot Chateau St. Jean.

Juicy and tender, this plate was scrumptious. The taro root gallette, the curried chocho paupiette and the ackee habaero tomato fresco all went well with the meal, offering just the right texture and spice.

Dessert: Jackfruit Bavarois on a Ginger Cookie, Chocolate Banana Fondant, Blue Mountain Coffee Infused Crme Brlee.

Excellent. The crowning of a perfect meal.